Chapter 4 - 2nd Cycle of Treatment
I just want to thank elea6 for the review.
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Since Mum's 1st cycle of treatment 2 weeks ago she's sleeping more but She continued to go to work even after she knew and was told by Ethan that her immune system would be weaker so she has a higher chance of getting an infection.
This makes me more worried about her because this could make things a lot worse for her.
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Like every other day of the week my alarm goes off at 6:30 meaning I have to wake up and start getting ready for school.
Once I've got dressed and stuff like that I grab all my things for the day and head into to the kitchen to make some breakfast, once walking into the kitchen I notice mom sitting down typing something on her computer.
'Your up early,' I say
'I have a meeting with Hansen at 9 so I thought I'd wake up and get some work done. and then I have treatment at 4' She replies
'You shouldn't be going to work' I say bluntly, knowing she won't listen
'Riley, It will look weird if I was to just take time off work' Mum replies back. I just sigh and go back to making my breakfast
'That's only because you refuse to tell anybody about your illness. You managed to let Ethan of all people know so why can't Charlie or Duffy be informed?' I ask slightly raising my voice. There is no point trying to fight with her about this because I know she won't listen.
'Riley now is not the time.' Mum tells me, bluntly, so I just grab my bowl of cereal sit down and eat my breakfast in silence.
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At school I keep writing emails to Charlie and Duffy telling them about Mum but never actually sending them. I'm so worried about her and I feel so helpless because I know if I tell mom will get so mad at me and I don't want that whilst she's ill.
My teachers have been so strict lately as nobody seems to be taking this year seriously, but for some of us its not that we aren't taking it seriously there are just underlying problems they don't know about because they are too bothered about results than a child'd health, or even their parents.
Once the school day is over I head over the hospital were I know Mum is having treatment because if I can't do anything about her having cancer the only thing I can do is be there for her.
I walk inside and start talking to the receptionist.
'Hi I'm looking for Connie Beauchamp, is there any chance I'd be allowed to see her?' I ask
'Sure, can I ask how you know her before I take you through'
'I'm her daughter' I say smiling. The lady nods and walks me down the corridor to the chemo room where the are 2 other ladies that have people sat with them talking to them.
I walk over to Mum and sit down in the chair next to hers.
'Riley what are you doing here?' She asks as the receptionist walks away
'You shouldn't be alone Mum' I say, I need to be here for her end of.
'I know but you have school work and other things to be getting on with. You shouldn't be here with me'
'Mom don't worry about me I have everything under control. There is no way you should be alone here. Anyway its Friday so it's not like I have to worry about school tomorrow' I say, glad its the weekend finally.
...
While at the centre with Mum we had a good talk about things but...
I was playing with her hair, plaiting it and stuff like that to pass time when we both realised it is starting to fall out.
I knew it was bound to happen at some point...
But I didn't think it would happen already.
It's hitting me once again that my mom has cancer, and there is nothing I can do to help make her better
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Once Mom's drip has finished the nurse comes in to take it out and allows mom to leave providing somebody comes to pick her up as she is not allowed to drive.
'We can get a taxi' I suggest but then realise mom will want to take her car home
'It's okay I'll call Ethan' she says. Great of all people its Ethan just because he is the only one that can drive that knows.
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It took a bit of time but Ethan arrives and he starts talking to mom.
I collect my things and make my own way to the car not engaging in the conversation because it's about work... as usual.
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When we arrive home Ethan calls a taxi and leaves.
I walk into the living room were Mum is and we talk about things that will happen over the next few months.
'Do you know when your getting the operation?' I ask
'Not yet darling, there's still tests to run to make sure I'm eligible for it first.' Mum replies.
'I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and you are not going to like what's about to come out my mouth.' I say.
'You've told someone?' A hint of anger in her voice.
'No its not that. I think that it is time that you tell someone, even if it's just Henrik to get the time off work. You need to tell someone before its too late and you get an infection. You heard what Ethan and Dr. Feathering told you, its too risky. Especially now that you've had a 2nd cycle of chemo.' I say, crying a little but is this really enough to persuade her? Probably not but I can't say that I didn't try.
'Riley, listen. For now nobody needs to know. Not, at least, until we go and see Gracie in Aspen next month.' Mum is really looking forward to Aspen. Surely she knows, with being a Doctor, that it is not safe to fly?
'Your not still thinking about going? It's not safe. You know it isn't! You should call Grace and tell her before it's too late!' I shout standing from where I was sat and going straight to my room.
I should be spending as much time with her as I can, but I don't think I can watch her slowly kill herself.
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Just a short update. Going to move onto another time jump because this feels like its dragging and I actually want to make this story go somewhere.
If anyone has any ideas for my summary to make it better please drop me a DM
Thanks :)
